Valve controlling means



Oct. 20, 1931. L. D. LOVEKIN VALVE CONTROLLING MEANS Filed Feb. 21. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 20, 1931. 1.. D. LOVEKlN VALVE CONTROLLING MEANS Filed Feb. 21, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 20, 1931. D. LOVEKIN 1,828,424

VALVE CONTROLLING MEANS Filed Feb. 21, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 20, 1931 NITED STATES @PATENT o FlcE LUTHER D. LOVEKIN, OF WYNNEWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR '10 KI'I'SON COH- PANY, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

VALVE CONTROLLING MEANS Application filed February 21, 1928. Serial No. 255,900.

My invention relates to means for controlling valves located in pipes through whlch inflammable gas is adapted to flow to a burner or other like point where it is to be utilized. Although I have shown my invention associated with a pilot gas burner I desire it to be understood that it is susceptible of use in association with burners or heating means turn is adapted to control the flow of gas through a tubular passageway leading to a main burner where it is to be utilized.

It also is an object of the invention to provide means of novel construction which acts automatically upon the extinguishing of a burner flame to effect or permit the closing of a tubular passageway through which gas is adapted to flow to a main burner or other point where it is utilized.

To these and ther end the invention comprehends the construction and arrangement .of parts as hereinafter described in detail,

particularly pointed out and defined in the claims and'as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of the specification,

wherein the 'j'niechanical embodiment of the 1 invention in diflierent formsis shown. .However-,Kit is to be understood thatfthe invention may be embodied in other forms-of cons stru'ction thanthose shown and that various changes in the details of construction may be madewithinthe scope of the claims without departing frornf the invention or the principle thereof. v

'Inthe drawings:

Fig.1 is a view embodiment of the invention;

7 longitudinal sectional el ;evation showing meansillustrative. of one a modified construction of means embodying the invention;

Fig. 5 is a view in longitudinal section of a fragmentary portion of the structure shown in Fig. 4 in which certain of the parts are shown in different positions from what they are shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 5 with certain of the parts in still other positions from what they are shown in Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 7 is a view partly in section and partly in side elevation, showing another modified construction of means embodying the-invention;

Fig. 8 is a view in longitudinal sectional elevation of a fragmentary portion showing a further modified construction of means embodying the invention;

Fig. 9 is a View partly in longitudinal section and partly in elevation, showing still another slightly modified construction embodying the invention;

Fig. 10 is a View in longitudinal vertical sectional elevation of another modified con struction of means embodying the invention; and i Fig. 11 isa View partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal section of still another structure of means embodyingthe said invention. I I Y Certain features of'the construction illustrated are common to the several forms of the invention. Hence in my description thereof I shall firstrefer-to all of thefigures andlater V on willrefer to separate figures for the pur pose of-p'ointing out. and describing the spe cific construction which 'ma 'b sm a therein... q

In the drawings Ihave shown atl' h u fi a which may be of. cylindrical shape as illustrated in Figs. 1, 7, 8, 10 and 11, or ofbarrel shape as illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 6 and 9. I do not differentiate between these two forms of housing because whether of one form or the other they perform the same function, namely, the inclosing' of certain mechanism constituting an important feature of the m vention. The housing 1 in the several forms of structure is connected with and mounted u on a valve body or casing 2 the opposite en s of which are connected to the on s of pipes (not shown) one of which pipes is at its opposite end to a source of gas supply and the other at its opposite end to a burner of one character or another. pose of opening and closing the passageway through the va ve body or casing 2, and consequently the passage for the flow of the gas through the pipes referred to, I have provided the said body with a partition wall having a substantially flat portion 3 which extends in a direction longitudinally thereof and of the pipes connected thereto. The portion 3 is provided with a port 4 through which the gas is adapted to flow. The said port is adapted to be opened and closed by means of a valve 5 from which projects a cylindrical portion 6 which extends into and is guided by a tubular portion 7 which is connected with and projects through an opening 8 in the side of the valve body 2. The tubular projection 7 is externally screwthreaded and the said threads are in screw threaded engagement with the internal screw threads of the opening 8. The tubular por tion 7 projects from the bottom or closed end of the housing 1. The valve 5 is mounted upon a rod or stem 15, being clamped between a shoulder 16 thereon and a nut 17 in screw threaded engagement with a reduced portion of the said rod which projects through and beyond the said valve. The end of the said reduced portion preferably projects a distance beyond the said nut, as indicated at 18. The rod 15 extends through an opening 20 in the adjoining closed end of the housin 1 and is provided at its outer end with a head 21 the inner side of which constitutes a'shoulder 22 which is adapted to be engaged by the inner edge of a stop 23 upon the free end of a thermostatic bar 24 which is of substantially U-shape as shown. The opposite side or rigidly supported end of the said bar is secured by fastening means 26 to a bar 27 which projects into the housin 1 from the outer closed end thereoef. The closure for the outer end of the said casing consists of a plug 30, as illustrated.

In the constructions as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 a hollow cap member 32 is detachably mounted upon the plug 30 which, n turn, is detachably mounted upon the housmg 1. The thickness of the walls of the cap 32 increases gradually from about the middle thereof to the outer end as shown.

For the purpose of supplying gas to a pilot burner in the quantity desired a pipe 33 is provided which is connected to a. nozconnected- For the pur-- g bar 27 and from the zle 34 which is detachably inounted upon the outer side of the plug 30, as indicated at 35. The nozzle 34 comprises a casing through one side of which a small opening 36 is provided through which gas enters from the pipe 33 into the chamber 37 of the said casing. An adjustable needle-valve 38 is mounted in an opening of the nozzle 34 and its tapered end is located in cooperative relation to and axially of the opening 36. By adjustment of the needle valve the fiow of gas from the pipe 33 into the chamber 37 may be controlled. The nozzle 34 is provided with an outwardly extending projection 40 through which a discharge opening 41 is provided, which projection and opening, are in alinement with a tubular gas burner, as shown in the several figures of the drawings mentioned.

In Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive the burner comprises a tube 45 having a series of openings 46 in one side thereof which are arranged in adjoining relation to a slot 47 provided in a shielding and insulating tube 48. The opening at the outer end of the tube 45 is reduced in size as shown at 48 and said tube is also provided with a slot 48 in alinement with the openings 46, as shown. The shielding tube 48 has screw threaded connection with a screw threaded sleeve 49 adjustably mounted within a bushing 50 which in turn is mounted within the reduced upper end portion of the cap member 32. The burner tube 45 is mounted within the sleeve 49 and its inner end is located in sligthly spaced relation to the outer end of the projection 40 and the opening 41 therein. The shielding tube 48 is spaced from the burner tube 45. The presence of the shielding tube 48 prevents direct contact of cold drafts of air against the burner tube 45. It will be noted that the thickness of the wall of the shielding tube 48 increases from the outer end inwardly to its inner end which is in contact with the outer end of the bushing 50 mounted upon the outer end of the cap member 32. The thickening of the wall of the tube 48 from its outer end inwardly serves to better conduct the heat derived from the flame of the burner 45 to the cap member 32 through which the heat is conducted to the supporting latter to the thermostatic bar 24. The walls of the outer reduced end portion of the cap member 32 are thickened, as described, for a like purpose. In the several forms of construction illustrated the thermostatic bar is so constructed that when it becomes heated the outer free end thereof moves inwardly so as to carry or move the holding stop 23 into position where it is adapted to be engaged by the inner edge or end of the head 21 so as to hold the valve 5 in open position in opposition to the force exerted by the spring 55 which is coiled around the rod or stem 15. One end the other or opposite end thereof is seated against the closed end of the housing-1. The spring is under compression and exerts J pressure continuously either to hold the valve. I 5 in closed position or to move it from open intoclosed position. In all of the forms of construction the valve 5 is adapted to be moved into 0 en position by means of a manually operab e push rod slidably mounted within a plug 61 screw threadedly mounted within an opening 62 in the side of the valve body 2, op osite the opening 4 and opposite the end 0 the rod or stem 15. The inner end of the plug 61 is provided with a valve seat, as illustrated, in which a valve 63 provided upon the inner end of the push rod 60 is adapted to be seated. The plug 61 is provided with an opening 65 which extends iniwardly from its outer end. The push rod 60 is provided with a collar 66 near its outer end. A wire spring 70 is coiled around the push rod 60 one end of which is seated against the collar 66 and the other or opposite end thereof against the inner end of the opening 65. The said spring normally is under compression and normally holds the push rod 60 in its outermost position with the valve 63 closed. The collar 66 is of a diameter such that it fits closely but slidably within. the opening 65. A tubular covering cap 71 is adapted to have screw threaded engagement with external screw threads upon the plug 61. The said cap closes the said plug and also covers the outer end of the push rod 60 which is 2 as shown.

In the construction as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and the burners occupy or are adapted to occupy horizontal positions and .of course they are located in operative relation to a main burner to be ignited, which burner, however, is not illustrated.

The constructions as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 are so modified that the pilot burners occupy or are adapted to occupy vertical positions, and they too are located in operative relation to a main burner which, however, is not shown.

In Fig. 7 a cap 32, similar to but not identical with the cap member 32 previously referred to, is employed. Located within the said cap 32' is a nozzle 34 identical with the nozzle correspondingly numbered in Figs. 1 and 4, and the parts associated therewith are identical and are identified with like reference numbers. The gas escapes from the nozzle through the opening 41 and flows into provided with a knob the lower end of the tubular extension 75.

which is mounted within the lower end of a burner which may be described generally as of capstan shape. The head of said burner may be described generally as of mushroom shape. The said burner is provided at its lower end with a reduced screw threaded porthe tubular extension 75 is secured. The said screw threaded reduced portion 76 is screwthreadedly mounted within'a'screw threaded opening in the head-like portion 77 mounted upon an arm 78 which projects laterally from the outer edge of the plug 30, which plug has screw threaded engagement with the internal screw threads of a bushing or sleeve secured in the outer end of the casing 1. The burner is provided with an axial opening 79 tion 76 within which the upper portion of in alinemnt with the tubular extension 75.

The upper end portion of the said opening is in communication with a series of lateral openings 80 provided in the side of the said burner. The upper end of the said axial openmg terminates in a reduced opening 81 provided in the head portion 82 of the burner. The wall of the said burner increases in thickness from about the location of the said lateral openings downwardly to its point of contact with the upper side or end of the head 77. The head 77 and the arm 78 by which it is supported upon the plug or closure 30 is of substantial thickness to facilitate the conduction of the heat of the burner body (imparted thereto by the flame of the burner; to the plug 30 and thence through the bar 2 to the thermostatic bar 24.

In Fig. 9 of the drawings I have shown a construction similar to that illustrated in Fig. 7 which however is of a design to support the burner in a horizontal instead of a vertical position.

In said Fig. 9 the burner comprises a tube 45' which is mounted at its inner end within a sleeve 49, p which in turn is adjustably mountedin a screw threaded horizontal opening 85 in the head 86 mounted upon and proj ecting upwardly from an arm 87 which projects laterally from the plug 30 which closes the outer end of the casing 1. The burner tube 45 is provided with openings 46' through which the gas is projected downwardly through a slot 47' in the shielding tube 48'. The opening at the outer end of the tube 45 is reduced as indicated at 48 and said tube is provided with a slot as indicated at 48". The internal diameter of the said tube 48' is greater than the external diameter of the burner tube 45, so that an insulating space about the latter is provided. In order to provide the mass of metal requisite and desired in the tube 48' I have thickened the walls of the latter at its central portion, as illustrated, the thickness of the said walls tapering from the center outwardly in both directions. The inner end of the shielding tube 48' is mounted upon the outwardly projecting end portion of the sleve 49' and preferably is in contact with the portion of the outer surface of the head 86 in adjoining relation to the said sleeve 49. It will be understood that the plug 30 may be so mounted or located within the casing 1 as tocause the burner 45' and its associated parts to project in any radial direction desired.

As hereinbefore pointed out, the push rod 60 is employed ,in the several forms of construction illustrated for pushing the valves '5 from their seats into open position to permit the flow of gas through the valve body 2 to the main burner, or to some other destination or point where it is to be utilized. The valve 5, having been moved by pushing the push rod against the adjoining end of the stem 15 and the pilot burner having been ignited, the

heat of the said burner is transmitted in due course and in the manner already described to the thermostatic bar 24, whereupon the outer free movable end thereof is moved inwardly toward the rod or stem 15, so that the stop 23 thereon is carried into position underneath the head 21 where it remains while the thermostatic bar remains heated. It will be seen, therefore, that it is necessary that the push rod 60 be held inwardly for a time or period sutiicient to permit the heat to travel from the burner and its associated parts to the thermostatic bar or element 24 to eifect the expected operation of the latter.

It may sometimes happen that the person who is holding the push rod 60 inwardly to hold the valve 5 open releases the said push rod before the thermostatic bar or element 24 becomes heaed and before it has operated to place the stop 23 in position to engagethe bottom or under side of the head 21. In order to avoid the necessity for manually holding the valve 5 in open position, as above described, until the thermostatic bar or element 24 is operated by the heat from the pilot burner, I have provided, as illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 9, a catch 90 of thermostatic metal which normally, or when cold, occupies a position with its outer free or movable end 91 in contact with the beveled surface 25 of the head 21. It follows, therefore, that upon moving or pushing the push rod 60 inwardly the end of the said safety catch or bar 90 engages the notch 92. in the form of an annular groove, provided near the lower end of the said head 21. The catch 90 consists of a thermostatic bar so constructed that upon the heating thereof its outer free end is caused to move away from the head 21. As a result the outer free or movable end 91 thereof is disengaged from the notch 92. Simultaneously with such outward movement the thermostatic bar 24 is moved inwardly to carry the stop 23 underneath the head 21 so that when the end 91 of the catch 90 is disengaged from the said notch 92 the coiled spring 55 causes the stem 15 with the valve 5 thereon to be moved outwardly, but such movement is stopped or limited by the contact of the under side or shoulder 22 of the head 21 with the stop 23. The thermostatic bars 24 and 90 may be regarded and designated, respectively, as primary and secondary heat responsive holding or retaining means for the valve or valve structure.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings I have shown the push rod 60 moved inwardly, with the outer free or movable end of the catch 90 in engagement with the notch 92, while in Fig. 6 I have shown the parts in position after the thermostatic bars 24 and 90 have been heated sufliciently to effect the functioning thereof. It will be seen that the stop 23 is located underneath and in engagement with the under sYde of thehead 21, while the outer free or movable end of the catch 90 is located at a point slightly spaced from the head 21 at its largest diameter.

It maybe noted that the thermostatic catch device or bar 90' is mounted upon the bar 27 which depends from the plug 30 which constitutes the closure for the outer end of the casing 1.

In Figs. 10 and 11 I have shown constructions in which the valve structure, the means for opening and closing the valve element thereof, the thermostatic element, the means for supporting the latter, and the casing inclosing the said thermostatic element are identical with the corresponding parts which are correspondingly numbered in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

These structures diifer from that illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings in that the heating means does not consist of a pilot burner but of an element adapted to be located in proximity to a burner (for example, a main burner, not shown) to be heated thereby, from which element the heat is transmitted, as in the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, to the bar 27 and thence to the heatin element 24 upon which the stop 23 is carrie In Fig. 10 the heat-mg element comprises a rod or bar 95 mounted upon the closing plug 30 and projecting outwardly therefrom. The outer end of the said rod or bar terminates in a head 96 which, when the device is in use, is located in proximit to the flame of a burner (not shown) by WlllCh it is heated. In said Fig. 10 the rod 95 inwardly of the head 96 is surrounded and protected by a slightly tapering tubular member 97 which protects the said rod or bar from'the cooling effect of the atmosphere. The wall of the tubular member 97 tapers from its base upwardly as illustrated. The tubular member 97 becomes heated by conduction of heat from the rod or bar 95 and also by direct heat from the flame of the burner with which the device may be associated. The heat is conducted through the rod or bar 95 and through the tubular inclosing and insulating tubular member 97 to the closing plug 30 and thence through the bar 27 to the U-shaped thermostatic member 24 which is adapted to respond to temperature changes in known manner and as previously described herein.

The construction illustrated in'Fig. l l is substantially identical with that shown' in Fig. except that the rod or bar .95 terminating in the head 96 is not protected by a tubular member. The rod or bar 95 is slight- 0 95 in conducting the heat of the flame of a burner throu h interveningconducting elements to the t ermostatic bar 24. The heat of the burner is applied more or less directly to the head 96 and is conducted from the latter in obvious manner. The shapes of the heads 96 and 96 may be changed as de sired. In the construction as illustrated in Fig.- 11 the entire heat transmission. to the heat responding element 24 is effected by the 'rod or bar Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In valve controlling means, the combination of a valve, means tending to hold said valve in closed position, movable means for opening the said valve, a gas burner, a tubular shielding member inclosing said burner and being spaced therefrom, a thermostatic bar one end of which is ri idly held and the other endof which is ree to move, a metallic connection. between the said bar and the said burner whereby'heat is transferred by conduction from the said burner to the said bar, the latter when heated by the heat from said burner operating to engage a part of the said valve to hold the latter in open position during the period that the said burner remains ignited.

2. In valve controlling means, the combination of a valve, means tending to hold said valve in closed position, movable means for opening the said valve, a gas burner, a tubular shielding member .inclosing said burner, one portion of the wall of said shielding member being thicker than another portion,

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a thermostatic bar one end of which is rigidly held and the other end of which is free to move, a metallic connection between the said bar and the said burner whereby heat is transferred by conduction from the said burner to the said bar, the latter when heated by the heat from said burner operating to engage a part of the said valve to hold the latter in open position during the period that the said burner remains ignited.

3. In valve controlling means, the combination of a valve, means tending to hold the said valve in closed position, a gas burner, thermostatic elements, means for supporting said elements which means has connection with the said burner whereby the heat of the latter is transferred to the said elements, the said supporting means having rigid connection with one end of each of the said ele- .ing therethrough, said valve having ments, the other end of each of said elements being free to move, a stem having rigid connection; with the said valve, the outer end of said stem being provided with a shoulder and also having a notch therein, means for movlng the said valve into open pos1t1on, one

of the said elements engaging the said notch to hold the valve open during the period that the elements are becoming heated from the heat of the said burner, the heating of the said element which engages the said-notch causin movement thereof to disengage the same rom the said notch, and the free end of the other of'said elements simultaneously 1 moving as the, result of the heating1 in a direction to engage the shoul er upon said stem to hold the said valve in open 0-- sition after the disengagement of the st named element from the said notch.

4. In fluid controlling means, the combina- L tion of a valve body and a valve mounted w1th1n said body, a casing mounted upon said valve body, the said valve having a stem prothereof i jecting therefrom into the said casing, means formoving the said valve into open position, a heat responsive element normally in position to engage the stem of said valve and hold the latter in open position, a second heat responsive element mounted within said casing and extending longitudinally thereof, and an element pro ecting from the outer end of said casing which element is adapted to be heated, the heat thereof adapted to be transmitted by conduction to both of the said heat responsive elements whereby movement of the second named heat responsive element it efiectedto cause engagement thereof with the said stem to hold "the said valve in open position and simultaneous movement of the first named heat responsive element out of engagement with said stem to release thesame.

5. In fluid controlling means, the combination of a valve body, a casing mounted upon the said valve body and projecting outwardly therefrom, a valve mounted within the said valve body for opening and closing an opena stem which projects outwardly from the said body into the said casing in a direction axially of" the latter, the said stem having a shoulder at its outer end, means holding or tending to hold the said valve in closed position, means for moving the said valve into open position, a thermostatic bar of U-shape mounted within the said casing, the opposite sides of the said U-shaped bar extending longitudinally of the said casing, means mounted upon the said casing for rigidly supporting one end of said bar, the other end thereof being free to move and being located in proximity tothe outer end of the said stem, an element mounted upon the said casing and projecting outwardly therefrom and adapted to be heated for providing heat for transmission to the said thermostatic bar to actuate the same into engagement with the said shoulder to hold the sa1d valve in open position. v

6. In fluid controlling means, the combmation of a valve body having an opening therethrough, a valve for opening and closing the said opening, said valve having a stem projecting outwardly therefrom through the said valve body, a casing mounted upon said body within which the outer end of the said stem terminates, the said outer end being provided with a shoulder, a heat responsive element mounted within the said casing having a free end located in operative relation to the outer end of the said stem and the shoulder thereon, a heating element for supplying 1 heat to the said casing and to the said heat responsive element, and a heat insulating and absorbing element surrounding the said heat- 7 ing element.

7. In valve controlling means, the combination of a movable valve member having a stem terminating at its outer end in a head, said head providing a shoulder on the end adjacent the valve and a tapered portion on the other end, a notch in said head adjacent said shoulder, a burner, a member having connection with said burner and two thermostatic elements one end of each of which is mounted upon said member, and-the other ends of both of said elementsbeing movable simultaneously by the application of heat supplied thereto from the said burner, one of the said thermostatic elements being in posi-.

tion normally to contact with the tapered portion of the said head and to be guided thereby into engagement with the said notch to hold the saidmovable valve member in open position, the other of said elements being in such position normally that it does not engage the said head and having a projection thereon which is adapted to engage underneath the said shoulder, and the said elements moving simultaenously upon the heating thereof by heat supplied from the said burner, the first named thermostatic element in a direction away from saidhead whereby it is disengaged from the said notch and the other of said thermostatic elements in a direction toward said head whereby the said projection is moved into position to engage the said shoulder.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have hereunto signed my name this 18th day of February, 1928.

LUTHER D. LOVEKIN. 

